Association Of Catholic Bloggers

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an oral exam. Specifically, Jesus asks, “ What is written in the law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26) This is in response to a man asking Jesus what is necessary to gain entry to heaven. The man responds correctly, by noting that he is to love God with his whole heart, and to love his neighbor as himself. Yet, the man asks for clarification on the definition of “neighbor.” Jesus responds with the parable about the Good Samaritan. In this story Jesus comments on two people who avoid helping an injured man on the side of the road, as they do not want to violate Jewish law, by touching his blood, for that would make them unclean. Finally, the Samaritan offers compassion and assistance to the injured man. Jesus then asks, Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber’s victim ? (Luke 10: 36) This is another instance where Jesus reinforces the fact that man was not created to serve the law. Rather, the law was created to serv...

Something I found on page 59 of "Amoris Laetitia" 1 is an example of why I love being Catholic — common sense, drawing on the Church's experience and wisdom, developed by dealing with people for two millennia. Some folks have been having conniptions over the encyclical: some because the Pope won't redefine marriage to suit their preferences; others, I suspect, for his failure to heap abuse on couples in " 'irregular' situations." Instead of denouncing them as loathsome sinners who should be cast into the outer darkness, Pope Francis actually talks about "...offering them assistance so they can reach the fullness of God's plan for them...." (" Amoris Laetitia ," page 227) More at A Catholic Citizen in America .